# nerd

/ˈnɝd/ (US) · /nˈɜːd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/nerd
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. intellectual/technical person

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who is very intelligent but might be quiet or socially awkward.

For teachers: an intellectual person who may lack social skills or be perceived as introverted.

- He was a bit of a nerd in high school, always spending his lunch breaks in the library.
- The stereotype of the socially isolated nerd has been largely replaced by the image of the successful tech entrepreneur.

### 2. an obsessive fan

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

someone who is extremely interested in a specific subject, like science, history, or films.

For teachers: an enthusiast who possesses an obsessive or highly detailed knowledge of a specific niche or hobby.

- My brother is a total history nerd and can tell you everything about the Roman Empire.
- She describes herself as a musical theatre nerd, having memorized the librettos of every major production from the last decade.

### 3. to show intense interest

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to talk or act with great excitement about a technical or niche subject.

For teachers: to engage in or discuss a technical or niche subject with obsessive enthusiasm; usually used with 'out'.

- We spent the whole night nerding out over the new space telescope images.
- The engineers spent their lunch break nerding out over the nuances of the new programming language's syntax.

Usage: usually functions as a phrasal verb with 'out'

Teaching tip: This verb use is very modern and informal; it suggests a joyful loss of self-control when discussing a hobby.

## Examples

- He is a total computer nerd who builds his own machines.
- You don't have to be a math nerd to enjoy solving these logic puzzles.
- The documentary explores how the once-mocked computer nerd became the architect of the modern digital economy, shifting the cultural perception of technical expertise.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.